Bologna flight deals

Things to do in Bologna

From medieval churches to jazz bars, and art galleries to family trattorias, Bologna is a user-friendly city that’s full of things to do.

While just walking through the arcaded streets of the old town is fascinating in itself, Bologna’s centre also has beautiful monuments such as the four linked churches of San Stefano and the skewed medieval turrets of the Due Torri. Bologna’s red brick centre is home to excellent, good value restaurants, speciality food shops like Pasta Fresca Naldi, one-off art and craft galleries and charming old bars including Osteria L’Infedele, while the streets surrounding the university, northeast of the old town, are full of younger drinkers socialising into the early morning.

Bologna shopping

For local specialities, try Via Caprarie’s Tamburini, a food shop specialising in regional Emilian delicacies that also has a self-service restaurant at the back. Crete – Piece Unique in Via Del Guidei sells one-off ceramics and other artworks made by local artists, while for something a little more offbeat, Fondazza’s Magica New Age sells unusual jewellery mixed with crystals, lucky charms and other New Age paraphernalia.

Bologna sightseeing

The Santo Stefano religious complex in Bologna’s old city contains four early medieval churches grouped around a quiet cloister. Piazza Maggiore is Bologna’s arcaded central square, home to the elaborate renaissance Neptune fountain. You’ll find out more about the city’s past at the Museum of the History of Bologna, while the Due Torri, the leaning remnants of the many towers that dotted medieval Bologna, have excellent city views from their tops.

Bologna restaurants

Women from three generations cook at Via Pratello’s Pasta Fresca Naldi, a small restaurant and shop that serves local pasta dishes such as fresh tortelloni and orecchiette with broccoli. Affordable Cinque 50 in Via Goito dishes up local classics including Parma ham with melon and smoked tuna carpaccio. For something more high end, Ristorante Garganelli, housed in the Savoia Hotel Regency, has been serving classic Bolognese cuisine since the 1960s. For ice creams and sorbets, try the homemade creations at Sorbetteria Castiglione, in the street of the same name.

Bologna nightlife

Vanilia & Comics is a quirky café bar with that doubles as a drinking place and comic shop. Locomotiv Club is a live music venue and nightclub that hosts some of the best, edgiest live music concerts in the city, while Osteria L’Infedele is a more low key, traditional-looking bar lined with vintage adverts, where drinks are served to a soundtrack of jazz and blues.

Exciting experiences in Bologna

On this tour, you will discover why Bologna has so many nicknames, including La Dotta (The Learned), for its ancient university; La Rossa (The Red), for the warm colours of its roofs and houses, and La Grassa (The Fat), for the wonderful food. Explore Palazzo Accursio, Palazzo del Protesta, the Sala Borsa, Palazzo re Enzo and the famous Fountain of Neptune which dates back to the 16th century. Additionally, you will explore many more wonderful sights with the English speaking guide.

Visit a traditional bakery, followed by a pasta maker where you will learn about the production of Tortellini and Tagliatelle. Continue to Beccari's salsamenteria to discover the history of mortadella, from the third century BC right up until modern times. The highlight of the tour is perhaps your visit to a traditional chocolate maker, where solid chocolate was invented. Your tour also includes a visit to a typical Bolognese osteria (restaurant), to discover the fun-loving side of Italy's oldest university.

Be part of the glamorous lifestyles of the rich and famous, and enjoy personalised attention from your English-speaking guide on this special private tour. Ferrari, Ducati and Lamborghini, the choices are endless as you get up close and personal with these famous names. View displays of these well-known manufacturers, or visit the private collections of Righini, Panini, Maranello Rosso and Stanguellini. Your itinerary is totally up to you and you will have time to visit two individual establishments on the tour.

You will visit the Old Vinegar Works, home of Modena's traditional balsamic vinegar, to sample the finest of these distinctive dark-brown, syrupy vinegars. See first-hand how the famous Italian condiment is made, and try a small ice cream (gelato) topped with a delicious Modena balsamic vinegar sauce. After spending time at the Old Vinegar Works, you'll take part in a wine tasting session with local winemakers from the region. Taste a variety of quality wines from the region before returning by air-conditioned coach to Bologna.

Need a break from the cultural, historical and religious side of Bologna? A little retail therapy may be in order. Embark on a private shopping tour with your English speaking guide, through fashion outlets across Bologna and surrounding areas and shop up a storm. Bruno Magli, Pancaldi 1888, Redwall, Mariella Burani, Sergio Rossi, Furla, Valleverde and Pollini are just some of the names to try. This is your shopping day, so the stores visited are entirely your choice.